ST. JOHN’S (July 29, 2015) – The St. John’s IceCaps today unveiled new jerseys for the team’s first season as the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, during an event at Jack Byrne Arena in Torbay.

The new jerseys – modelled by IceCaps President and CEO Danny Williams and new head coach Sylvain Lefebvre – are virtually identical to the ones currently worn by the Montreal Canadiens but feature the revised, original IceCaps logo with Canadiens logos on each shoulder. The rest of the uniform: socks, pants, gloves and helmets, are the same style as worn by the Canadiens.

Today’s reveal was done after a practice at the Montreal Canadiens Alumni/Heart and Stroke Foundation, Newfoundland and Labrador hockey school and featured Canadiens alumni Richard Sevigny, Sergio Momesso, Gilbert Delorme and Gaston Gingras, as well as school participants.

“With the unveiling of these sharp, clean, classic-looking jerseys today, the IceCaps have taken another tangible step in cementing our bond with the Montreal Canadiens,” said IceCaps President and CEO Danny Williams. “There was never really a doubt in our minds that we would incorporate our revised logo into the elegant and world-renowned jerseys the Canadiens have proudly worn for almost a hundred years. It was a no-brainer. We’re excited about our bright, new look and I’m sure our fans will be as well.”

The IceCaps are accepting pre-orders for the new jerseys – in both the home white and away red – via the team’s official merchandise store, IceCaps Alley online. As well, jerseys can be pre-ordered at Harbour Merchants in the Delta Hotel from 12:30 – 8:00 p.m. Adult sizes are $139.95 and youth sizes are $129.95. All pre-ordered jerseys will also come with a free embroidered “inaugural season” patch. Jerseys can be picked up in person at IceCaps Alley when they arrive in October.

In other IceCaps news, on Saturday, August 1st season-ticket holders can visit Mile One Centre, view the new jerseys and select season seats in person from 10 a.m. until noon, during an exclusive, one-time-only event.

Want to own a piece of history? The St. John’s IceCaps are selling game-worn and game-ready jerseys from the past four seasons. All jerseys will be sold for $200 CAD*. Available sweaters include home (white), road (blue) and alternate.

ST. JOHN’S (July 14, 2015) – The St. John’s IceCaps announced today the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top prospects will travel to Newfoundland and Labrador in October to compete in a three-game exhibition series.

The American Hockey League exhibition showdown will pit the Toronto Marlies versus the IceCaps at three venues across the province:

Thursday, October 1st (7:30 p.m.) Stephenville Dome

Friday, October 2nd (7:30 p.m.) Corner Brook Civic Centre

Sunday, October 4th (2:00 p.m.) Gander Community Centre

“The Montreal Canadiens rivalry with the Toronto Maple Leafs is one of the greatest in all of sports so I’m sure these IceCaps and Marlies contests will be intense and spirited as players jockey to secure a place on their respective teams, “ said IceCaps President and CEO Danny Williams. “Of course, these games will also give our fans their first glimpse of an entirely new IceCaps roster stocked with Montreal Canadiens prospects. From that perspective, this will be a momentous series for the IceCaps franchise as we launch our new era as the primary affiliate of the legendary Canadiens franchise.”

Brad Lynn, Alternate Governor and Director of Hockey Operations for the Marlies, says the Toronto Maple Leafs organization has an historic connection to Newfoundland and Labrador, which makes this series unique.

“Newfoundland represents a special place in Marlies history after the team enjoyed 14 seasons as the St. John’s Maple Leafs,” said Mr. Lynn. “Since relocating to Toronto, the team has always enjoyed returning to Newfoundland and playing in front of the passionate IceCap fans. The affiliation with the Montreal Canadiens, arguably the Maple Leafs most storied rival, just adds another dynamic for the players and fans of both organizations. These exhibition games will expose fans across Newfoundland to the rivalry that has developed between these two clubs and we look forward to puck drop in October”.

The IceCaps also announced that training camp will run from September 27th to October 7th, initially based out of Corner Brook and concluding in St. John’s.

In 38 regular season games with the Colgate University Raiders of the ECAC in 2014-15, the 5’10’’ and 177 lbs rearguard led all team defencemen in assists (14) and ranked tied for first in points (15). He registered 26 penalty minutes and a +12 plus/minus rating. Johnston registered 42 points (5 goals, 37 assists) in 110 regular season games in his three seasons with Colgate University, from 2012 to 2015.

A native of Sudbury, Ontario, Johnston played two seasons with the Nepean Raiders of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL). He totaled 113 points (28 goals, 85 assists) in 114 regular season games, including a 71-point season in 2011-12. The 23-year old defenseman took part in the Canadiens’ development camp last week.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League’s Board of Governors has concluded its 2015 Annual Meeting, held this week at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Chaired by AHL President and CEO David Andrews, the four days of meetings, which concluded Thursday, saw the approval by the Board of the following items to be implemented beginning in 2015-16:

Playing Schedule/Standings
• The 2015-16 regular season will consist of 1,120 games, played between Oct. 9 and Apr. 17. All teams will play 76 games each with the exception of the clubs which joined the AHL in January as part of the creation of a Pacific Division (Bakersfield, Ontario, San Diego, San Jose, Stockton); those five teams will play 68 games each.

• Teams will receive two points for a win and one point for an overtime or shootout loss. The top four teams ineach division ranked by points percentage (points earned divided by points available) will qualify for the 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs, with one exception in each conference: if the fifth-place team in the Atlantic or Central Division finishes with a better points percentage than the fourth-place team in the North or Pacific Division, it would cross over and compete in the other division’s bracket.

• The 2016 Calder Cup Playoffs will feature a divisional playoff format, leading to conference finals and ultimately the Calder Cup Finals.

• The division semifinals are best-of-five series; all subsequent rounds are best-of-seven.

Rule 85 (“Overtime”)
• During the regular season, the sudden-death overtime period will be five minutes (5:00) in length.

• Full playing strength will be 3-on-3 (plus goaltenders) for the entire period.

• Overtime will be preceded by a “dry scrape” of the entire ice surface.

• Teams will change ends at the start of overtime.

• If the game is still tied following overtime, a winner will be determined by a three-player shootout.

Rule 79 (“Video Review”)
• A team may use a “coach’s challenge” to initiate an official video review; only those situations which are subject to review by rule may be challenged.

• A team may only request a coach’s challenge if it has its timeout available, and the coach’s challenge must be effectively initiated prior to the resumption of play.

• If the coach’s challenge does not result in the original call on the ice being overturned, the team exercising such challenge will be charged with a timeout.

Rule 76.4 (“Face-offs”)
• For all face-offs (excluding center ice), the defending player shall place his stick on the ice first; for face-offs at center ice, the visiting player shall place his stick on the ice first.

In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 88 percent of today’s NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and for the 14th year in a row, more than 6 million fans attended AHL games across North America in 2014-15.

IceCaps Director of Communications Dave Salter is checking in from Canadiens Development Camp in Montreal all week long.

• You never know who you’ll run into at a hockey press box. I was very surprised to see former St. John’s Maple Leafs coach Marc Crawford last night in Brossard. “Crow” spent most of the first period chatting with St. John’s IceCaps skipper Sylvain Lefebvre, whom he coached to a Stanley Cup in 1996 with the Colorado Avalanche. Crawford, a guest of honour at the very first IceCaps home game back in 2011, has very fond memories of his time in St. John’s.

“You know, it’s been almost 25 years since I last lived there but most of the old characters from back then are still around in St. John’s which is nice to see.”

As for playing tour guide for the newest American Hockey League coach in Newfoundland, Crawford admitted that earlier in the day, he and Lefebvre did have a chance to chat about life in St. John’s. “The main thing I told Sylvain was how good the people are there,” said Crawford. “I have a great deal of respect for (COO) Glenn Stanford and the staff he’s put together in St. John’s.”

Crawford thinks St. John’s will be a perfect fit for the Canadiens. “You’ve got a very educated fan base there. It will be a great marriage and fun to see the Canadiens logo down there (at Mile One Centre). It’s kind of neat to have both the Maple Leafs and now the Canadiens organizations play out of that building.”

Crawford, who currently coaches in Switzerland lives nearby and simply popped by to take in last night’s action.

• Canadiens Director of Player Development Martin Lapointe oversaw this week’s development camp. The former NHL forward says, in large part, the camp is about introducing their young prospects to the Montreal Canadiens way of doing things.

“It’s an opportunity for us to see our new draft picks and evaluate them but it’s also an opportunity to show them everything the Montreal Canadiens have to offer, the resources we have to help their careers.”

Since some players like Charles Hudon already have a pro season under their belt and others like 2015 draft choice Noah Juulsen attended their first camp, Lapointe says it’s difficult to single out the week’s top performers.

“You’re not really comparing apples to apples,” he said.

Charles Hudon | Photo: CHC – François Lacasse

• However, there is no doubt left-winger Charles Hudon who collected 57 points in 75 games in Hamilton displayed a high skill level and poise at camp. A likely candidate for St. John’s, Hudon is happy with the decision to move the Canadiens AHL affiliate from Hamilton to Newfoundland.

“For the first week or so when the announcement was made (to move the AHL club) the players were still pretty surprised but we’re looking forward to it. We’ve played in that building (Mile One Centre) and we know how much the fans there support the team. And I’m sure they’re excited that the Canadiens (farm team) is coming there.”

• As a final note, with camp officially over, I’d like to thank Dominick Saillant and Donald Beauchamp of the Canadiens communications department and all the Canadiens staff for their assistance and hospitality during my visit. Merci beaucoup!

IceCaps Director of Communications Dave Salter is checking in from Canadiens Development Camp in Montreal all week long.

DUDLEY HIGH ON EDDIE

• Montreal Canadiens Senior Vice President, Hockey Operations Rick Dudley confirmed to me yesterday it was he who advised G.M. Marc Bergevin to sign original IceCaps goalie Eddie Pasquale to an AHL contact with IceCaps 2.0. No surprise it was Dudley who championed Pasquale, since he drafted the Toronto-born goalie during his stint as the Atlanta Thrashers general manager in 2009. “I like Eddie as a goalie. A healthy Eddie Pasquale still has NHL potential,” said Dudley. “He’s big, talented and a good kid. He’s a good gamble.

“The problem with Eddie is that he wasn’t in the best of shape all the time but he’s addressed that. He’s committed.” Pasquale, 24, missed the entire 2014-15 season, as property of the Washington Capitals organization, after undergoing a pair of hip surgeries.

Eddie Pasquale makes a glove save in a game on Jan. 7, 2014 at Mile One Centre.

Despite the glowing words from Dudley, Pasquale still could find himself destined for the Canadiens ECHL affiliate, the Brampton Breast, as the IceCaps will also likely bring rookie hotshot Zach Fucale and Hamilton holdover Mike Condon to training camp.

MCCARRON READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT

• Six-foot-six, 235 pound right-winger Michael McCarron has all eyes on him during camp as he’s one of a handful of prospects here with an outside chance to make the big club. The third such camp for the Habs first-round draft pick from 2013, McCarron told me he feels much more comfortable this time around. “I had a lot more confidence coming in (to this year’s camp). I knew what to expect,” said the 20-year-old, who led the Oshawa Generals to the 2015 Memorial Cup. “I want the Canadiens to see how much better I’ve gotten. I’m leaps and bounds from the first (camp) and I want them to see that.” As for the prospect of playing in St. John’s, McCarron doesn’t know what to expect. “I don’t know anything about it,” admitted the Michigan native. “But I’ve heard nothing but great things about the people, the city and that the fans are super excited.”

• Another of the Habs best pro prospects, Nikita Scherbak of Russia, via Everett of the Western Hockey League, copped to needing a geography lesson when it comes to St. John’s. “I thought it was Saint John (New Brunswick), like the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec League,” said Scherbak. He’s not the first and won’t be the last to make that mistake. But like many I’ve spoken to at camp, says he’s “excited” about the possibility of being an IceCap.

NOTES

• Nothing particularly noteworthy about last night’s scrimmage, although 21-year-old Charles Hudon, who collected 57 points in 75 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs as a rookie last year, continues to impress with his offensive flair.

• Had a nice chat yesterday with Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette, who’s been reporting on the Canadiens since 1965. The venerable scribe knows Newfoundland all to pieces and has friends on The Rock. In fact, Hickey told me he almost took a reporter job with the Grand Falls Advertiser in 1964.

• Perhaps the highlight of my day when was an oldtimer spotted my IceCaps polo shirt and asked me if I was a player.

• Sylvain Lefebvre seems genuinely excited about moving with the Canadiens farm club from Hamilton to St. John’s and has plenty of good things to say about his new home. “Knowing how the fans are and the organization, it’s always tops in the league. And knowing how (COO) Glenn Stanford does things, it’s first class,” Lefebvre told me before last night’s Development Camp scrimmage. “I’ve always enjoyed my time there and that building (Mile One Centre), a full building that has a great atmosphere…a hockey atmosphere. For our players, our prospects, they’ll be forced to be professionals right away, just like in Montreal.” Not surprisingly, Lefebvre also heaped praise on his new assistant coach Nick Carriere. “He’s a young guy, just 35-years-old but he’s got 10 years head coaching experience (in U.S. college), he’s a good person, enthusiastic and he’s fully bilingual. He’s a good fit.” Lefebvre says Carriere will focus on offensive duties such as the IceCaps power play, skill development and the “technical part of the game”. The IceCaps other assistant coach Donald Dufresne, another former NHL defenceman, will continue to work with the IceCaps blueliners as he did in Hamilton.

• For his part, Carriere is also jazzed about moving to St. John’s and starting his professional coaching career. “I’m excited about the opportunity,” said Carriere after scrimmage. “A friend of mine just sent me a book about Newfoundland’s role in 9-11 so I’m trying to learn as much as I can about the place.” “I hear the people are great and unbelievable hockey fans and I’ve heard about kissing cods and (drinking) Screech,“ he added with a smile. Like any assistant coach, Carriere recognizes he will serve as a “good cop” with the players and says he’s looking forward to it after having to “bring down the hammer” the last 10 years as a head coach. “I’m a personable guy and I’ll be expected to relate to the players and be a buffer. I think communication will be one of my biggest (responsibilities).” Despite his dad Larry – Canadiens Assistant General Manager – being an NHL veteran who also spent some time as a coach, Nick Carriere says he doesn’t rely on his dad for hockey tips but views him more as a role model in regards to how he handles himself with others. “My dad is a smart hockey man but for me it’s more about how he treats people and how he develops relationships and how he cares about people and how important that is. I’m a lucky guy to have a dad like him.” Carriere is serving as an instructor as this camp, as he has for many years.

FIRST SCRIMMAGE

• The Development Camp is divided into two teams with team “B” winning last night’s first scrimmage 5-4 in a shootout over team “A”. A tepid affair, Charles Hudon of the losing side had the nicest goal of the night, streaking down the left side and firing a slapshot low glove side past Alex Dubeau. Michael McCarron scored a shootout goal and was noticeable throughout the night, if only for his towering height. The rosters were as follows:

NOTE: Thrower, Juulsen, MacMillan, Andrighetto and Scherbak were scratched and will not scrimmage this week due to minor injuries but will participate in all other activities for the remainder of camp. Crisp left camp due to family reasons and Evans retuned to Notre Dame University as planned.

• Left-winger Daniel Carr, who topped the Hamilton Bulldogs with 24 goals as a rookie last season, says his teammates are enthused about playing in St. John’s. “St. John’s has a passionate fan base and the guys are pretty excited. The building there is always sold out, something you don’t see very much in other AHL arenas,” said the 23-year-old, who visited Newfoundland last season for regular season and exhibition games.

- As you may have seen on some of the St. John’s IceCaps social media platforms, I arrived in Montreal yesterday to take in the bulk of the development camp for the Montreal Canadiens – the new parent club of the IceCaps. I’ll be here until it wraps up on Thursday.

Other than the airport, I didn’t actually see much of Montreal as the Canadiens camp is taking place in nearby Brossard at the Bell Sports Complex. As I learned today, other than games and team photos, the club spends the bulk of its time in this world-class practice facility that was built under the George Gillett regime.

Opened on December 12, 2008, the complex features two full-size hockey rinks, an indoor soccer pitch, team memorabilia store, weight-training room, medical room, player lounge, massive equipment storage room, a replica of the Bell Centre players’ dressing room and the full-time offices for all Montreal Canadiens employees. It’s an enormous and impressive place to say the least.

A photo posted by St. John’s IceCaps (@stjohnsicecaps) on Jul 6, 2015 at 6:04am PDT

- There really wasn’t much to see yesterday as the four goalies at camp had a session to themselves, followed by the 39 other players doing skating drills. But I did have a chance to chat with the Canadiens top goaltending prospect Zach Fucale, who could very well be the IceCaps number one netminder this season as a rookie, a la Connor Hellebuyck. When asked about the prospect of playing in St. John’s this season, Fucale told me he “wasn’t looking that far ahead” but admitted he loved his time with the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL and playing throughout the Maritimes, adding “it would be neat to get to St. John’s and complete my tour of Atlantic Canada.” Very articulate and fluently bilingual, Fucale also displayed a sense of humour when asked about improving his game: “the number one thing I’m focusing on this summer, is everything,” he quipped.

- Forwards Nikita Scherbak and Michael McCarron seem to be garnering most of the attention in the early stages of camp. Not surprisingly, both bring something to the table the Habs have seemingly been missing since the days of John LeClair: size. Scherbak, 19, checks in at six-foot-two, 204 pounds, while 20-year-old McCarron is a rangy six-six, 235. And although the Habs would probably like one, or both, to force their way onto the big club, they rarely rush players fresh out of junior so don’t be surprised to see both in St. John’s this fall. I got a close-up look at McCarron today in shorts and a tee-shirt and he’s raw-boned, much like former IceCap Adam Lowry when he first arrived in St. John’s. And we all know how a full-season in the AHL aided Lowry’s development. McCarron could likely benefit from a year on the farm to “grow into his body” as they say.

Forward Nikita Scherbak | Photo: CHC – François Lacasse

- Montreal had a distinct Buffalo flavour yesterday as a pair of former Sabres teammates – Rick Dudley and Larry Carriere – kept a watchful eye on the Habs prospects from the press box. Dudley, of course, is now Montreal’s Senior Vice-President and Carriere serves as the club’s Assistant General Manager. And yes, Larry is the dad of new IceCaps assistant coach Nick Carriere, who spent the past decade coaching college hockey in Buffalo. Dudley and the senior Carriere were members of the 1974-75 Sabres squad that took the Philadelphia Flyers to six games in the Stanley Cup Final. In fact, while watching Habs hopeful Connor Crisp being put through this paces this morning, Dudley muttered to me: “His uncle stole a Stanley Cup from me”. That uncle? Former 1970s Flyer forward Terry Crisp.